Toilet Flush Mechanism for Dementia Patients

ABSTRACT

A toilet flush mechanism comprising a tubular conduit for a long flexible element which translates within conduit and connects a toilet flapper valve to a grip handle or chain pull which is located at an inconspicuous location outside the toilet tank for the purpose of preventing flushing by toddlers or individuals with dementia.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of provisional patent applicationSer. No. 62/379,414 filed 25 Aug. 2016 by the present inventor herebyincorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND Prior Art

The following is a tabulation of some prior art that presently appearsrelevant:

U.S. Patents Pat. No. Kind Code Issue Date Patentee 9,469,980 B2 2016Oct. 18 Le et al 4,319,368 1982 Mar. 16 Peters 3,358,294 1967 Dec. 19Nolan et al 4,356,576 1982 Nov. 2 Gala

Background of Invention

Healthcare workers frequently deal with problems concerning the flushtoilet when operated by patients/residents who have dementia or areotherwise mentally challenged, especially if they are ambulatory. Inmany cases, healthcare workers must monitor fecal output by documentingfrequency, size, and consistency of bowel movements. Urine output ismonitored for amount, color, and odor. Ambulatory patients who can flushthe toilet make this monitoring difficult. Monitoring is not possible ifa resident who cannot self-report or self-monitor flushes the toiletbefore the healthcare worker can document the output. This presents aproblem in the administration of medication for constipation anddiarrhea or for the diagnosis of illness.

One method of monitoring fecal output is to place a catch pan under thetoilet seat. This has proven to be a less than satisfactory solution forseveral reasons. It increases the workload for the healthcare workers.Emptying and cleaning the pan is an unpleasant task. Some patients arereluctant to use a catch pan because of unfamiliarity, embarrassment, orconfusion.

Serious health consequences can result if a resident/patient has hadbowel movements that have not been documented. When the recordincorrectly shows no bowel movements for several days, the standardprocedure in most healthcare facilities would dictate the administrationof laxatives. This can cause serious health consequences, especially inelderly or weakened patients who are not constipated or may, in fact,have diarrhea instead of constipation.

Another problem can arise when the healthcare provider is not aware thatthe patient has not had a bowel movement for several days. In this case,treatment for constipation may be delayed until there is a serioushealth issue. Urine monitoring can alert healthcare personnel to bladderinfections and many other disorders.

Another problem involves demented or mentally challenged patients whoattempt to flush inappropriate objects down the toilet. This can causeobstructions in the plumbing system that require major maintenanceprocedures to correct. Patients who flush certain medications orchemicals down the toilet can cause environmental damage. If volatileliquids such as solvents or fuels are flushed, they can cause explosionsor toxic fumes in the sewer collection system that can injure workers ordamage property.

Toddlers can also cause serious problems by flushing inappropriate itemsdown the toilet. The utilization of this invention greatly reduces thepossibility of this occurring. Parents with toddlers who think it wouldbe fun to give rubber ducky a ride on the ‘swirling vortex’ will findthis invention useful. This invention can quickly be installed on mosttoilets. It can just as quickly be uninstalled to convert back to theoriginal toilet configuration when the child grows older and wiser.

Healthcare facilities will usually want to convert the toilet in aresident room between ‘restricted access’ and ‘open access’, dependingupon the status of the current resident of the room.

Testing has proven that even most adults with normal mental and physicalcapacity are foiled by this invention when they have not been instructedon its use. The original flush handle is left in place on the toilet butrendered inoperable. When a person attempts to activate the flush usingthe inactivated original flush handle, they generally assume the toiletis inoperable and look no further for a flushing activator.

For all of the above reasons, a device that prevents certainpatients/residents/toddlers from flushing the toilet can be beneficial.I have invented this device to address this problem.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The present invention provides a method to flush a toilet with a‘hidden’ chain-pull. The standard flush handle is rendered inoperable bysimply disconnecting the chain that connects the activator arm of theflush handle to the flapper valve that discharges the tank water. Inplace of activation by the flush handle, a chain pull (5) is positionedin an inconspicuous location behind the back corner of the toilet tank.A chain tube (2) provides a conduit for chain (4) which translateswithin the chain tube to lift the flapper valve which activates theflush cycle.

The apparatus of my invention can be installed in a matter of minutes toa wide variety of toilet brands and styles. Likewise, the toilet can bereturned to its original status in a matter of minutes.

By reference to the attached drawings and following description, theconstruction and functional principles of my invention will bedescribed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURE

FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view, looking downward into the toilettank from an elevated angle with the tank lid removed showing the chainassembly for bypassing the handle on the toilet;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an assembled toilet with the tank lid inplace showing positioning of the chain for access behind and to a sideof the tank and showing the lever of the toilet disconnected from theflapper valve.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The mechanism of the present invention is comprised as follows: a chaintube (2) formed with downward directed radius of approximately 90degrees on each tube end, a mid-portion of said tube extendedhorizontally, with a first end position generally above the tank'sflapper valve (9) position and the second end's radius positioned in thesame plane as the first so that the opposed downward curve lies outboardof the rear corner of the toilet tank (1).

Chain tube (2) is supported on one end by the lip of the toilet tank,and the other end of the chain tube is supported by cross member support(7). Cross member support (7), in its preferred embodiment, isadjustable in length so that it will fit various size tanks. A weight(8) is attached to the flapper valve end of the ball chain, therebyretracting the chain after it has been pulled to initiate the flushcycle.

A chain stop (3) limits the retraction travel of said chain by contactwith the outboard end of chain tube (2). A small, inconspicuous chainpull (5) is the preferred embodiment to provide a grip surface for theoperator.

Spacers (6) provides the clearance necessary for chain tube (2)underneath the lid (23) of the toilet tank. As a preferred embodiment,the spacers are constructed of a firm foam material with a self adhesivestrip which attaches it to the top rim of the toilet tank. Air exchangegaps (10) are provided to allow rapid air exchange as the water level inthe tank drops during the flush cycle. Spacers (6) can be positionedclosely to chain tube (2) near its outbound end so that the chain tubeis captured in the correct position on the tank.

The construction of the present invention allows it to be sold as a kitwhich can be installed on a wide variety of toilets in a matter ofminutes. Conversion back to the original configuration which utilizesthe toilet's original flush handle also can be accomplished in a matterof minutes. The original flush handle can be left in place while thetoilet is in operation with the hidden chain flush mechanism of myinvention.

The components of this invention can be packaged in a small box orbubble pack. The chain can be pre-threaded into the chain tube withweight (8) attached on the flapper valve end of the chain. Chain stop(3), in one embodiment, is constructed of resilient material which clipsto the chain in a manner that allows attachment at various locationsalong the chain. Other types of clips will work equally well as a chainstop to fulfill the function intended.

A typical installation of this invention is as follows. The toilet tanklid is removed to gain access. In some cases it may be advantageous toshut off the water supply to the toilet and drain the tank by activatingthe flush cycle. The chain that links the flush lever activation arm tothe flapper valve is disconnected from the flapper valve. This chain canbe left in the tank at a location where it will not interfere with theoperation of the flapper valve or other components. The cross membersupport (7) with chain tube (2) attached by connector (11) is positionedin its proper location on the rim of toilet tank (1). Spacer (6) isattached to the rim of the toilet tank in a manner that allows gaps forchain tube (2) and air exchange gaps (10). Chain (4) is attached toflapper valve (9) and, if necessary, adjusted to its proper length bytrimming or restricted placement of the tail end so that it does notinterfere with the operation of the flapper valve or other components.

Weight (8) is attached to chain (4) at a location approximately midwaybetween the flapper valve and the cross member support. Chain stop (3)can be clipped to the chain's outboard end at a location which preventsexcess slack in the chain between the flapper valve and the inboard endof the chain tube. Another option is to forgo the chain stop at thislocation, thereby allowing chain pull (5) to act as a stop to preventcomplete retraction of the chain into the chain tube, thus creating aneven more inconspicuous flush activation mechanism. Finally, the tankcover is replaced and the toilet is returned to service.

When this invention is installed, the original flush handle (24) remainsinstalled however the interior lever on the handle (24) is disconnectedfrom the flapper valve (9). When an attempt is made to flush the toilet,the toilet handle will move but has no effect. However, an operator withknowledge of the conversion can reach behind the corner of the toiletand cycle the flush with a short pull on the pull chain. Once activatedby a pull on the chain, the flush cycle is unchanged from the toilet'soriginal operation.

DRAWINGS—REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   1 Toilet Tank 2 Chain Tube-   3 Chain Stop 4 Chain-   5 Chain-pull 6 Spacer-   7 Cross Member Support 8 Weight-   9 Flapper Valve 10 Air Exchange Gap-   11 Connector 21 Toilet-   23 Toilet Tank Lid 24 Toilet Tank Lever

As related to a toilet flush mechanism for the purpose of restrictedaccess, I claim:
 1. A tubular conduit having longitudinal midsection ofgenerally horizontal orientation, down-turned bends of approximately 90degree radii on each outboard portion, each bend oriented in a planecommon to the other; a flexible element encapsulated within andextending beyond each end of said tubular conduit, nutating within saidtubular conduit; said tubular conduit attached to elongated supportstructure.
 2. The flexible element of claim 1, wherein the flexibleelement is a chain encapsulated within and extending beyond each end ofsaid tubular conduit, nutating within said tubular conduit.
 3. Theflexible element of claim 1, wherein the flexible element is composed ofa thin elongated thread of plastic material, nutating within saidtubular conduit.
 4. The elongated support structure of claim 1, furthercomprising a first element which telescopes within the second element,thereby being adjustable in length, having connector as non-permanentattachment means for tubular conduit of claim 1, outboard portions ofeach element bent downward, thereby capturing rim portion of toilet tankto prevent lateral movement relative to toilet tank.
 5. The flexibleelement of claim 1 further including a weight attached to the portion ofsaid flexible element which extends externally from the inward portionof said chain tube, acting as a retractive force upon said flexibleelement.
 6. The weight of claim 5, said weight having hollow centralportion of a dimension accommodating the flexible element of claim 1within said hollow central portion, a stop clip attachable to theflexible element, thereby limiting downward movement of weight relativeto the flexible element.
 7. A stop clip of claim 6 with detachable andattachable connection to the flexible element of claim 1, therebyrestricting excessive retraction of said flexible element into tubularconduit of claim
 1. 8. A stop clip of claim 6 made of circular flexiblematerial having a slit the approximate length of the radius of saidclip, said slot extending inward to a central small hole of a dimensionwhich locks onto the flexible element of claim
 2. 9. Spacer memberslying upon a substantial portion of top rim of toilet tank, of heightdimension adequate to provide clearance between toilet tank and toilettank lid for tubular conduit of claim 1, and of length dimension whichprovides adequate clearance between said spacer members to create one ormore air exchange gaps which allow unrestricted air movement.
 10. Spacermembers of claim 9 comprised of semi-rigid foam material.
 11. Spacermembers of claim 9 further including a self-adhesive layer coating oneside of said spacer member.
 12. A kit for constructing toilet flushmechanism comprising: A tubular conduit having longitudinal midsectionof generally horizontal orientation with down-turned outboard portionsof approximately 90 degree radii, each oriented in a plane common to theother; a flexible element encapsulated within and extending beyond saidtubular conduit, nutating within said tubular conduit; elongated supportstructure for tubular conduit; spacer member material of continuouslength, said material of foam composition, or similar material easilycut to length by installer, said material having self-adhesive surfaceon one side.
 13. A toilet comprising: a tank providing a reservoir ofwater for flushing the toilet; a flapper valve positioned at the bottomof the tank and hinging between an open position allowing water to flowfrom the tank and a closed position blocking water from flowing from thetank so that the tank can fill with water; a handle affixed to a frontsurface of the tank and having a lever adaptable for opening the flappervalve by connecting the lever to the flapper valve but disconnectedtherefrom; a flexible tension member attached at a first end to theflapper valve to move the flapper valve from the closed position to theopen position and having a second end extending out of the tank over atank sidewall removed from the front surface of the tank; and guidemembers for conducting the flexible tension member upward from theflapper valve and laterally out over the tank sidewall under a tank lid.